Big Idea: Although I really believe my first theory I came up with for how children learn best, I really like Jean Piaget's theory of Cognitive Development where he breaks an individuals learning process into 4 parts:
Sensorimotor Stage (0-2yrs)- This is the stage where children learn entirely through the movements they make and the sensations that result. They learn that they exist separately from the objects and people around them.
Preoperational Stage (2-7yrs) Once children acquire language, they learn to use symbols to represent an object. At this stage children think everyone shares the same viewpoints as themselves.
Concrete Operational Stage (7-11yrs) Children are now able to develop different viewpoints, some organized logical thought processes are now evident.
Formal Operational Stage(11+yrs) Around the age of puberty, children are able to reason in many abstract ways and able to test hypothesis using systematic logic.
An example of an activity you could do as part of the cognitive development would be for instance a child that has taken an interest in how wheels and axles work may engage the individual construction of knowledge by tinkering with a bicycle , or may socially construct knowledge by working alongside an adult who is fixing the bike.
The downside of Piaget's theory-Not all children develop at the same time in the same stage, some develop earlier and later than others, environment could play a huge impact on the development of the child through the 4 stages.
Andra,
ReplyDeleteGreat points on the different stages according to Piaget. What is less clear however, is how it affects how you think students learn. In your earlier model, you noted that students learn from thinking, doing, feeling and watching. Do you think these ideas are incompatible with Piaget? Module 7 introduces constructivism - are the ideas behind constructivism incompatible? If learning involves all the ideas that you highlight, would it also not be a process of "actively constructing knowledge?" I think this chapter serves to bolster your arguments even further. Moreover, Piaget's theory will help you as a teacher construct activities based on your students' developmental level. At the same time, he introduces the process of equilibriation - an important idea on how you as a teacher can promote learning.